A Few Thoughts Regarding Paul Helm (1940-2025)

https://banneroftruth.org/us/reports/obituaries/2026/paul-helm-1940-2025/

Given that Helm died last December and the fact that this is only now appearing will give readers some sense of how far behind I am in terms of my articles list.

Sometimes when I revisit things months later I realize that what seemed so important at the moment has diminished.

In this case, several things comes to mind. For me, Helm's name evokes a certain point in my Christian life when I was in serious debate over the Calvin vs. the Calvinists question. I differ with Helm but I don't doubt his sincerity and his serious scholarship. I have enjoyed from time to time reading his articles or hearing him interviewed. I hadn't realized how old he was - but I'm also at a time in life when the years start to really fly by.

I think his work will be referenced for some years to come and I enjoyed this fitting tribute from the Banner of Truth, along with some biographical details unknown to me. It's abundantly clear the man was in possession of a sterling character and many were touched by his kindness and appreciated his friendship. It's quite a testimony.

It seems to me that when I've heard him interviewed it's usually been in connection to philosophical questions and not a few have pointed out that while he was somewhat diverse in terms of his academic disciplines, it was philosophy that was his main focus and driving interest. And I think that's key to grasping his understanding of Calvinism and even his reading of the historical development of the movement's theology. The philosophical-theological approach affects not just one's reading of Scripture but even one's interaction with historical development. Someone like Helm is going to look for patterns of continuity and coherence. Critics or detractors are going to focus on context and foundational approach-related issues (prolegomena).

I was surprised to find in another tribute that Oliver Crisp was something of a protege. I remember eagerly picking up his 2014 work on 'Deviant Calvinism: Broadening Reformed Theology' and ending with great disappointment, thinking this is exactly how not to approach theology. It was heavily reliant on philosophical argument Whether it deviated from Calvinism is one thing. It deviated from Scripture and I struggled to even finish it. I'm left wondering what Helm thought of that work. I still shiver whenever I see it on the shelf (or these days encounter it in a storage box) - I don't actually have an office or place to work. My library is stored in boxes that I get into periodically. It's interesting as the 'digging' process is almost like rediscovering old and forgotten treasures - but in some cases my 'finds' elicit groans.

Now whether Crisp truly reflects the thought of Helm or is something of a spin-off in terms of his thinking and influence is a question I cannot answer. If the former is the case, then that reveals a great deal (at least to me) about Helm and would represent what one might call the bad icing on the cake.

There are still some Helmian writings I'd like to peruse at some point. Hopefully some day I will find the time. In the meantime (as I stated) his death is but another milestone - a sign that we are moving farther and farther away from the 20th century.